jedamum:

From what I understand, the answering techniques for hcl compre and cl compre is different. The focus on compo and textbook vocab are different too. Hcl class need to do both hcl and cl past papers drills for sch homework which is twice the workload compared to cl class. So unless the kid can cope, it may be worth to consider focus on cl.


We had initially wanted to continue hcl in p6 term 1 too, but teacher told us that if subsequently we drop hcl, we may be without a class as the best cl class already full. Then may be stuck with hcl class whose focus is not on cl answering techniques and sections of cl papers.

So best to consult and discuss with teacher.

zbear:

ngl2010:

Dropping HCL will also mean more time to prepare for other subjects. If by dropping HCL can get more than 3 points higher in overall t-score, then why not? Increase of 3 points in overall t-score makes the child eligible to more schools compared to 3 points bonus from HCL which only can be used in SAP schools.

My understanding of taking HCLin Primary School is 2 fold - meaning u also learn for Normal Chinese. You don't need to take extra lessons for HCL. So I don't really see how you can save time if you drop HCL becos you still need to learn NC. Perhaps the level of difficulty in HCL is higher, nevertheless it will make NC much easier to cope.

Furthermore, many IP and SAP schools make HCL a compulsory subject in Y1/Sec 1.

Why not just continue until next year SA1 n then see how. Usually the student won't do well in Primary 5 becos it's a new subject n still struggling to cope with it.

grow and glow:

Hi Macaron12,

I would advise against your child to drop HCL. Primary school teachers like to tell students to drop HCL so that they have an easier time to teach. They are scared of not enough distinctions in psle. SAP secondary schools may not let students without Psle Hcl to take the subject. If you read the threads of SAP schools, many schools wil set up barriers.

zbear:

The Chemistry Clinic:

Implications that I know of:

1) Your child will not have 'bonus points' to add to t-score if he were to opt for SAP Sec Sch.
- So if your child scores 250 with no HCL, he is considered 250 regardless of application to SAP/non-SAP school
- If your child scores 250, is amongst the top 30% of the cohort and obtained Merit for HCL, he will be considered as 250+2 if he applies to SAP school while still 250 if he applies to non-SAP schools

https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/secondary-one-posting-exercise/eligibility-letter
- Scroll down to Bonus Points for Admission to Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools

2) If your child is admitted to a SAP school, he will have to take HCL
- that is, a student need not take HCL in Pri Sch to be admitted to a SAP school, but once admitted, he is expected to take HCL.
- So you might want to consider whether doing HCL at Pri school will better prepare your child to take HCL in a SAP school

On a side note, both my children didn't take HCL in Pri Sch although they qualified. My older child went to a SAP school and was able to cope with HCL well as the foundation was strong. My younger child went to a non-SAP school and opted to do HCL. The younger child is struggling with HCL as foundation was not as strong. But being in a non-SAP school, my younger child has the option of dropping HCL.

Hope the above information helps.

Adding to what is said above, taking HCL in Sec School, once you pass O level HCL at Sec 4, you will not need to take Chinese in JC.

The Chemistry Clinic:

Implications that I know of:

1) Your child will not have 'bonus points' to add to t-score if he were to opt for SAP Sec Sch.
- So if your child scores 250 with no HCL, he is considered 250 regardless of application to SAP/non-SAP school
- If your child scores 250, is amongst the top 30% of the cohort and obtained Merit for HCL, he will be considered as 250+2 if he applies to SAP school while still 250 if he applies to non-SAP schools

https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/secondary-one-posting-exercise/eligibility-letter
- Scroll down to Bonus Points for Admission to Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools

2) If your child is admitted to a SAP school, he will have to take HCL
- that is, a student need not take HCL in Pri Sch to be admitted to a SAP school, but once admitted, he is expected to take HCL.
- So you might want to consider whether doing HCL at Pri school will better prepare your child to take HCL in a SAP school

On a side note, both my children didn't take HCL in Pri Sch although they qualified. My older child went to a SAP school and was able to cope with HCL well as the foundation was strong. My younger child went to a non-SAP school and opted to do HCL. The younger child is struggling with HCL as foundation was not as strong. But being in a non-SAP school, my younger child has the option of dropping HCL.

Hope the above information helps.

floppy:

Joyymum:

Am in a dilemma. Ds overall P4 Chinese SA2 was 99%. Was chosen to do HMT in P5. He is in the top class too. After reading the above advices, am wondering should I drop HMT to concentrate on the 4 subjects rather than struggling with HMT next year and like what Jedamum mentioned if by then, need to transfer out of HMT class, the best chinese class will be full.

Are you by nature, a pessimist?

You are worrying about something that has yet to happen, about a subject that has yet to take place. For all you know, your kid could be the next Chinese scholar.

Joyymum:

Am in a dilemma. Ds overall P4 Chinese SA2 was 99%. Was chosen to do HMT in P5. He is in the top class too. After reading the above advices, am wondering should I drop HMT to concentrate on the 4 subjects rather than struggling with HMT next year and like what Jedamum mentioned if by then, need to transfer out of HMT class, the best chinese class will be full.

zbear:

Furthermore, many IP and SAP schools make HCL a compulsory subject in Y1/Sec 1.

ngl2010:

Dropping HCL will also mean more time to prepare for other subjects. If by dropping HCL can get more than 3 points higher in overall t-score, then why not? Increase of 3 points in overall t-score makes the child eligible to more schools compared to 3 points bonus from HCL which only can be used in SAP schools.

The Chemistry Clinic:

Implications that I know of:

1) Your child will not have 'bonus points' to add to t-score if he were to opt for SAP Sec Sch.
- So if your child scores 250 with no HCL, he is considered 250 regardless of application to SAP/non-SAP school
- If your child scores 250, is amongst the top 30% of the cohort and obtained Merit for HCL, he will be considered as 250+2 if he applies to SAP school while still 250 if he applies to non-SAP schools

https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/secondary-one-posting-exercise/eligibility-letter
- Scroll down to Bonus Points for Admission to Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools

2) If your child is admitted to a SAP school, he will have to take HCL
- that is, a student need not take HCL in Pri Sch to be admitted to a SAP school, but once admitted, he is expected to take HCL.
- So you might want to consider whether doing HCL at Pri school will better prepare your child to take HCL in a SAP school

On a side note, both my children didn't take HCL in Pri Sch although they qualified. My older child went to a SAP school and was able to cope with HCL well as the foundation was strong. My younger child went to a non-SAP school and opted to do HCL. The younger child is struggling with HCL as foundation was not as strong. But being in a non-SAP school, my younger child has the option of dropping HCL.

Hope the above information helps.